Marin Mother's Day celebrants flock to Audubon Canyon Ranch

Oohing and aahing at the view on the Fern Trail at Audubon Canyon Ranch arm-in-arm Sunday, mom Jennifer Wolf and daughter Cecilia Wolf, 14, were carrying on a 35-year family tradition.

The Corte Madera residents showed up for the 51st annual Mother's Day Picnic at the ranch about three miles north of Stinson Beach off Highway 1. The event is a benefit for the Marin Audubon Society and Audubon Canyon Ranch and drew about 300 people Sunday.

"I've been coming since I was 15," said Jennifer Wolf, who also brought her mom Sandra Massen, Cecilia's grandmother, and Rob Wolf, her husband and Cecilia's father. "I like the birds and nature, and the barbecue is fun. The nature walks are fun for the kids. There's something for everyone."

Audubon Canyon Ranch focuses on conservation science, habitat restoration and nature education. With the latter in mind, docent-led hikes on the Fern, Scrub and Oak trails showcasing views of Bolinas Lagoon were part of the event.

The Wolf family hiked the Fern Trail Sunday. Those who scrambled up the steep Oak Trail through oaks and oak woodland got a special treat: deer antlers.

"A biologist hung them from a branch as part of an educational program," said Yvonne Pierce, executive administrator for Audubon Canyon Ranch.

"A deer's antlers start coming in around February, in the early spring," said Mary Lynn Shimek, a ranch guide and docent. "The antlers have a velvety covering that helps the antler grow because it has a blood supply. After about three months, they shed the covering. They rub their antlers against willow trees to rub it off because the tree bark has analgesic properties."

Families lined up to get servings of quiche, chicken, beans, breads and dessert from long tables, then carried their lunches to picnic tables.

"This is our third or fourth year" at the Mother's Day event, said Dylan Losee, 15, of Tiburon. Losee said he likes the event because "it's nice. It's remote. It's far from everyday life, so it's a nice retreat."

"We started coming in the mid-1970s," said Bill Dreskin of San Anselmo, who was birdwatching at the edge of the trail with wife Wendy Dreskin. "Wendy teaches nature education in the schools and has led nature walks here."

"Some of the people here today came as schoolchildren and now are bringing their families," said Pierce.

The Marin Audubon Society was established in 1956 as part of an effort to prevent development of houses on Richardson Bay tidelands. In the years since, the society has worked to protect important baylands through acquisition, habitat restoration and conservation advocacy.

"We're recruiting folks who would like to become docents," said Pierce. "Classes start Sept. 3. They can call (415) 868-9244 to find out more information."

"I love watching the birds nest," said Linda Tull of Mill Valley, who showed up with her mom Carol Fraker, also of Mill Valley.

"It's such a delightful experience," said Fraker. "This has been a family tradition for decades. It's the pleasure of being in the Garden of Eden."